ROCK purists will instantly notice that this is not the original pressing of the album. It is in fact the second.

The first release shows a picture of a covered wagon with the title emblazoned on the canvas canopy like a photo taken from a Western film.

The song Sweet Caroline had just become a huge hit, Geffen records decided to re-release the album including the hit single as an extra track with a picture of Neil Diamond on the cover.

Albums, signed by the artist, increase the value by a huge amount, Diamond was about to be elevated to the rank of Superstar, hence the high value of this LP.

He did say that he had written Sweet Caroline for Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter after seeing her on the cover of Life magazine, but in 2014 stated that it was written for his then wife, Marcia, but was unable to find a word that rhymed with Marcia, so he used the name Caroline.

This song became Diamond's entry into the UK charts in 1970, it has since become probably the most popular of his entire career, in concerts, the fans always sing along with the chorus.

Another song recorded almost at the same time, was Cracklin' Rosie that became a chart topper in the USA and UK.

This was assumed to be about a woman, but was in fact based on a story relating to a remote Indian tribe that had more men than women.

At weekends, the men who did not have a woman would buy and drink vast amounts of Rosé wine to drown their sorrows, the bottles of Rosé would compensate for not having a female companion (don't ask me why, just enjoy the song).

Neil Diamond (b.1941-) in Brooklyn, New York, attended the Erasmus Hall, High School, the same one that Neil Sedaka went to, Barbra Streisand was a classmate though they were never close.

His first job as a songwriter was in Broadway on 49th Street, known to the music world as the Brill Building where so many of his contemporaries, Carole King, Ellie Greenwich, including Neil Sedaka and many others, all began their careers writing songs.

Diamond achieved minor success in the USA with half a dozen or so chart hits for himself, but may be remembered for writing The Boat That I Row, a hit for Lulu, I'm a Believer, A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You, both million sellers for The Monkees before finally attaining international fame for himself.

In 2018, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has since retired from touring but plans to continue writing, recording and pursue new interests.

Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show by Neil Diamond, 1969, Geffen Records, Value £45/50, signed copies £150